Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL player award predictions for 2018

By Aaron Tan

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 04: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 04: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Roquan Smith of Georgia poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Roquan Smith of Georgia poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Roquan Smith (Chicago Bears)

It’s a shame Roquan Smith was picked by the Chicago Bears.

Yes, we’re biased, but the first thing my friends and I noticed when Smith was selected with the No. 8 pick of the NFL Draft, with the 49ers sitting tight at No. 9, was that he was disappointed.

This is obviously all speculation, but we all shared a gut feeling that Smith wanted to live in that nice Bay Area weather and play alongside a promising defense under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Not to say that Chicago’s defense isn’t promising itself. 49ers fans know all too well how great of a defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is, and the Bears have quietly put together a nice little defense to build around Smith, who is destined to become a star inside linebacker in the league.

Smith is a bit on the small side for his position, but he makes up for it with his level of play. His instincts are incredible for a linebacker and can tackle very well. He is a tough player who will greatly help the Bears defense, a unit that should be strong enough in 2018 to garner enough attention for him to become Defensive Rookie of the Year.